Yelv Xianyong quickly stood up, seemingly wanting to chase after them, then realized it was inappropriate and sat back down.

Marquis Gu said, "Don’t worry, with Sixteen and the others there, they won’t get away." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Yelv Xianyong frowned and asked, "Who could it be?"

Marquis Gu smiled and remained silent, only urging him to drink.

Yelv Xianyong sighed.

"Marquis, you truly have strong composure!"

Marquis Gu said, "Such matters are not as important as drinking with you. We have fewer opportunities to drink together, and you can’t stay here long."

Yelv Xianyong widened his eyes.

"Does the Marquis still wish to let me return?"

Marquis Gu also widened his eyes.

"Would the dear brother rather stay here with me?"

Tears welled up in Yelv Xianyong’s eyes, and he sighed, "The Marquis is truly a hero."

Marquis Gu laughed and said, "No need for such formality between us. Although I am reluctant to let you go, you are here with a loyal heart to your master. Keeping you will only add to your troubles."

Yelv Xianyong wiped away the tears with his sleeve, his hand trembling as he raised his drink: "No more words, everything is in this bowl of wine. Since Marquis treats me so well, I, Yelv Xianyong, will surely repay you generously in the future."

Marquis Gu also raised his drink.

The two drank it all in one go.

Yelv Xianyong said, "I have some heartfelt words, I don’t know whether to say them or not."

"Speak freely between us."

Yelv Xianyong spoke seriously: "I know the Marquis cherishes his wife, so you must protect her even more. It’s manageable in the mansion, but outside, you must increase protection to prevent anyone who’s against the Marquis from attacking your loved ones due to lack of opportunity."

Marquis Gu’s pupils slightly contracted, and he solemnly said, "I will remember what you said, dear brother."

Just then, Gu Shiliu came to report: "Marquis, a person from the Yelv Clan has escaped."

Marquis Gu’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing this, and he said, "What happened? How can someone escape from the dungeon? How did you manage things?"

Gu Shiliu immediately knelt down, saying, "Marquis, it’s all my fault. The guards in the dungeon secretly took strong liquor inside today and got drunk. We overlooked the inspection. Those two from the Yelv Clan took advantage to escape in different directions; one was brought back, while the other hid amongst the daily vegetable delivery to get out."

Marquis Gu threw the wine bowl to the ground fiercely, angrily saying, "Take punishment yourself."

"Yes," Gu Shiliu quickly hung his head and left.

Marquis Gu looked at Yelv Xianyong apologetically, saying, "Dear brother, I wanted you to stay a few more days, but now with someone escaping, it may be bad for you."

Yelv Xianyong asked, "Why does the Marquis say so?"

Marquis Gu said, "You are treated with respect here, they may become suspicious when they see it, and when they return, they will surely tell Yelv Guza to earn merit."

"But I have not done anything to betray my master."

Yelv Xianyong was incredulous.

Marquis Gu sighed, "Those returning will surely embellish their words to lessen their punishment. We can only hope Yelv Guza is wise and won’t believe slanders. My good intentions inadvertently burdened you."

Yelv Xianyong stood up and bowed.

"Thank you, Marquis, for considering my situation. I think the Young Master knows my character; he won’t doubt me."

Gu Jinghui wanted to speak but hesitated, finally sighing and saying, "Since dear brother insists, I shall fulfill your wish. Come."

Gu Shiba entered upon hearing.

"Release Yelv Xianyong."

The Marquis ordered.

Gu Shiba frowned and glanced at Yelv Xianyong with gratitude, hurriedly advising, "Marquis, this person cannot be released; he is a valiant general under Yelv Guza, very difficult to capture. This time, it was the madam who devised the plan to catch him. Releasing a tiger to return to the mountain will bring endless troubles, and he will surely harm us in the future."

Gu Jinghui waved his big hand.

"He is not that kind of person. I trust him. Do not speak further."

Yelv Xianyong was moved to the point of tears.

Gu Shiba glared at Yelv Xianyong, dragging him toward the study room’s entrance.

Yelv Xianyong turned back to bid farewell: "Marquis, we’ll meet again."

Marquis Gu reluctantly said, "Dear brother, we’ll meet again."

Gu Shiba grumbled as he led Yelv Xianyong out, coincidentally meeting Gu Shiliu, who was pale and limping back inside.

"What’s wrong?" Gu Shiba asked.

"A person from the Yelv Clan ran away, the master let me go to receive punishment. I’ve just finished half, the other half will be tomorrow."

Gu Shiliu spoke with frustration.

Gu Shiba complained, "The master still wants to let this man go!"

Gu Shiliu was even more frustrated, glaring fiercely at Yelv Xianyong, saying, "I really don’t know how this man has bewitched the Marquis, treating him as an honored guest every day. A nameless nobody escapes, and I’m punished, yet he is to be released."

"I said the same," Gu Shiba joined, "sometimes I really don’t understand what the master is thinking."

"Ever since the master returned from the Northern Border, he’s different from before. We are no longer the brothers who accompanied the master through life and death. The master is the master, we are servants, so let’s look at it openly."

Gu Shiba said, "Even you say that!"

He turned and glared at Yelv Xianyong, shouting, "Go ahead."

Perhaps unhappy inside, he took Yelv Xianyong to the mansion gate before removing the shackles from his feet.

Housekeeper Han walked over and asked, "Shiba, what are you doing?"

Gu Shiba said sullenly, "The master ordered he be released."

Housekeeper Han looked sternly, coldly observing Yelv Xianyong from top to bottom: "Releasing him, what if he comes back to harm us in the future?"

Yelv Xianyong couldn’t help but say, "I, Yelv Xianyong, am not such a petty person."

Housekeeper Han scoffed.

"Do you think I trust you? Do you not know the words ’servant and constrained’? Do you dare defy Yelv Guza’s orders to harm us?"

Yelv Xianyong shouted, "I, Yelv Xianyong, swear here that in this life, I will never harm anyone from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion."

Housekeeper Han thought for a moment and said, "Only hope you keep your word and do as you say."

Gu Shiba picked up the shackles, looking at Yelv Xianyong with disgust, scolding, "Won’t you rush off? Or do you expect us to send you off with a parade? Haven’t you had enough good food and wine these days?!"

Yelv Xianyong then seemed to wake from a dream, tentatively walking towards the mansion gate.

Seeing no one stopped him, he picked up pace, walking faster and faster.

Gu Shiba crossed his arms and huffed coldly, "I said the Marquis’s kindness is wasted, see if he has any reluctance?"

Housekeeper Han laughed, "If it were you, you’d probably run even faster."

Gu Shiba said, "Forget it, forget it, don’t mention this unlucky thing, I wonder if Seventeen has replied. We should hurry to collect pepper for profit."

Yelv Xianyong exited the gate, turning earnestly to salute them: "Please convey my message to the Marquis, that though the mountains and rivers may separate us, I ask the Marquis to take care; I, Yelv Xianyong, will never forget his kindness."

After Yelv Xianyong leapt away, Gu Shiba said, "This fellow really made me waste my breath."